‘SECURITY FORCES FREE TO VOTE’
Dr Mahathir has hidden agenda in writing open letter, says former CID chief
TUN Dr Mahathir Mohamad has a “hidden agenda” in asking the armed forces branch chiefs and police to allow their men to vote freely, said former Criminal Investigation Department chief Tan Sri Mohd Zaman Khan Rahim Khan.
He said in his career, the police and military personnel were given the freedom to vote.
“I never received instructions to vote for a certain party or individual,” he said at the New Straits Times Press’ Bicara Jom Undi Facebook live session at Balai Berita here on Friday night.
“Police and military personnel are neither uneducated nor blocked from access to information. They can read the newspapers, watch television and they have mobile phones to receive information before voting.
“These days, technology and social media platforms, such as WhatsApp, allow information to spread easily and fast. I’m sorry to say this, but I believe Dr Mahathir has a hidden agenda.”
In an open letter on Facebook on May 2, Dr Mahathir called on the chiefs of the armed forces and police not to pressure or issue instructions to their men to vote for the ruling coalition and hinted that such practices were commonplace during general elections.
The session, titled “Loyalty to king and country”, also featured former army field commander Lieutenant-General (Rtd) Datuk Seri Zaini Mohd Said.
Zaini, who expressed shock over Dr Mahathir’s statement, said those in the armed forces were allowed to vote as they wished and were never stopped or influenced by anyone to vote for the ruling coalition.
“We were given the freedom to vote for candidates of our choices. They (the commanding chiefs) also brought ballot boxes to ensure that those involved in operations in the jungle or stationed at the border would fulfil their responsibilities as voters.
“We never, directly or indirectly, instructed any soldier to vote for any party. We were only directed to vote by post.”
Zaman hoped as polling day for the 14th General Election drew near, incidents like the May 13, 1969, riots would not reoccur.
“In the May 13 incident, the main weapons involved were not guns or axes, but words and actions that triggered the incident.
“Back then, we lost our senses as Malaysians and used racial slurs. I hope this will never ever happen again.”
He urged political parties to unite, regardless of their race and religious beliefs, and abstain from arrogance, which he believed was at the heart of increasing divisiveness in the country.
He described his worry about political polarisation among the races.
“Now, they (political parties) have to unite and not feel that they are bigger or richer than others. But, it appears that were are becoming increasingly divided as the days go by,” he said at the forum moderated by Hamdan Ahmir.
Zaman, who was former Prisons Department director-general, said Malaysians must go back to their core values in respecting each another, which was the backbone of Malaysia’s unity.
“Just like Pakistani or Indian citizens, if I go to my friends’ homes there, they will give up their bedrooms and are willing to sleep outside.
“Just like Malays in the past who mostly had small houses, when their relatives visited them from far, they gave up their rooms as a show of hospitality.
“Formerly, (political parties) were united and did good together. But now, the cracks are obvious and I am saddened by this.”
He said the Federal Constitution should be seen as a document that united Malaysians instead of dividing them.
Zaini said the current scenario stemmed from the people’s poor grasp of Malaysia’s system of governance, constitutional monarchy and culture.
“If we do not know who were, then it is easy for us to fight and split up.
“Patriotism doesn’t recognise skin colour. We shouldn’t be caught up with our race, tribes or clans, but instead, we should think and move as Malaysians.
“The constitution and sovereignty are about ourselves. If we damage them, it means we are damaging ourselves.
“Not being loyal to king and country means we are not faithful to ourselves,” he said, adding that this lack of understanding was common.